Helping victims of intimate partner abuse and sexual violence since 1912.
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Innovative partnerships are the hallmark of a community that is committed to seeing a day when intimate partner abuse and sexual violence do not exist. The Center for Women and Families is dedicated to cultivating, building and sustaining these featured partnerships and so many more.

Louisville SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Clinic
In Partnership with University Hospital

Louisville’s first community-based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) clinic is housed in the heart of our Joan E. Thomas, M.D. Campus. The vision of University Hospital’s Dr. William Smock, the clinic provides victims of sexual assault with vital services and compassionate care in a quiet, private environment. The Clinic is fueled by a collaborative including The Center, University Hospital, Louisville Metro and agencies comprising the Louisville Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).

Learn more here: The Louisville SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Clinic at The Center for Women and Families

Ride to Safety
In Partnership with the Transit Authority of River City (TARC)

Leaving an abuser can be one of the most dangerous times, but we are working together in our community to provide options for victims. Ride to Safety is a unique partnership between The Center for Women and Families and the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) to transport victims of domestic violence to any of our safe shelter locations.

When a passenger boards a bus and says, “I need a ride to safety,” drivers notify TARC headquarters of the situation and the collaborative-response process begins. A decal on every TARC bus window indicates the service, and all TARC employees participate in a Ride to Safety training program.

Safe Haven for Pets
In Partnership with the Kentucky Humane Society

Animal cruelty often occurs in tandem with domestic violence. It is not uncommon for abusers to threaten harm to a family pet to maintain control over victims, and many victims stay in harm’s way to protect their beloved pets. Recognizing the connection of our missions, The Center partners with the Kentucky Humane Society to provide the Safe Haven program.

The Humane Society fosters family pets at undisclosed locations while victims of domestic violence are living at one of our shelter locations, and our family advocates work one on one with incoming residents to let them know there is a program that provides protection for their precious family pets while they are in shelter.

Used Goods and Clothing Donations
In Partnership with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and Bridgepointe Goodwill in Indiana

Our Kentuckiana community is so generous that the management, storage and distribution of used donations became more than we could accommodate so The Center has partnered with Goodwill Industries of Kentucky and Bridgepointe Goodwill in Indiana to accept and process donations of gently used clothing and goods for us.

It’s easy–just deliver your tax deductible donation to any of the Goodwill Industries of Kentucky or Bridgepointe Goodwill of Southern Indiana locations and tell the representative accepting your donation that it’s for The Center. Our clients will receive a Goodwill purchase voucher in the amount of the estimated donation value of your donation. These vouchers enable our residents and clients to experience shopping for themselves and their family, and ensures every resident and client–regardless of age, size or special needs–receives clothing that fits properly.

Click here to find your local Goodwill location.

NETS (Nurses Exchanging Training for Service)
In Partnership with regional Schools of Nursing

For several years, we have provided intensive, multi-session, professional training to nursing students enrolled in the Indiana University Southeast Division of Nursing and Galen School of Nursing. In exchange, the students volunteer to provide childcare during our support groups and other adult client activities.

The partnership provides nurses in our community with curriculum-based instruction from professionals who understand the challenges that victims of domestic and sexual violence face. In turn, The Center receives assistance to better meet the needs of our residents and clients. NETS has been recognized with the Innovative Program Award from the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs.